Why did you decide to study abroad?
I decided in middle school that I would become fluent in Spanish and go abroad to Spain. Living abroad lets you study the language in a way not possible in America, and I wanted full immersion.
Why did you choose your program?
I chose Spanish Studies Abroad because of their internship program, which meant I could use my Spanish in real life situations, and because it had the most reasonable price of all other study abroad programs for the summer in Spain.
What makes the program you participated in so interesting?
I liked the program because I could live in a homestay, which let me practice my Spanish even when I was out of work and live in the culture. My Spanish would not have gotten as good if I hadn’t lived in a homestay, and it’s great that CCCS has this option.
What is the best thing about your program that future participants need to know?
I also liked that we had peer tutors, which I think was the best thing about the program. My peer tutor and I became friends and I was able to practice my Spanish in a casual setting with someone my own age. I definitely recommend the peer tutoring program because of the amount of Spanish you can learn if you meet with your peer tutor. I’m still in contact with mine.
What’s one thing you would have done differently?
If I could do one thing differently it would be to meet more Spaniards to practice my Spanish more, or to have spent more time with my host mom after work.
Now that you’re home, how has study abroad impacted your life?
Study abroad has impacted my life because my Spanish improved from living and working in Sevilla, and I am able to comfortably speak to Spanish speakers and take high level Spanish courses. The amount of people I can talk to on a daily basis and in my future work has increased directly as a result of my time abroad.
